Dennis Arthur Calabro

Dennis Calabro ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Hennessey Heights Funeral Home & Crem. Serv (a.k.a. Bergen Funeral Service) on Mar. 6, 2026.Dennis Arthur Calabro, 77, of Wood-Ridge, NJ, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2026, after living with Alzheimer's and receiving hospice care since July 2024.Dennis was born on January 18, 1949, and raised in Hoboken, where he later returned to serve the community as an art teacher at Salvatore R. Calabro Elementary School. He spent many years teaching and sharing his love of creativity with his students, leaving a lasting impression on those who learned from him.Dennis was known for his incredibly laid-back personality and his ability to make people laugh. His favorite advice was simple: "Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show." He truly lived by those words. He loved a good party and was happiest when surrounded by family, friends, food, and laughter.He was famous for hosting backyard barbecues and proudly took on the role of grill master. However, anyone who attended knew that if you wanted a burger, you had to place your order about two weeks in advance, as Dennis was known for taking his time.Dennis loved art, classic movies, football, and a cold beer, but few things brought him more joy than decorating the house for the holidays. Halloween and Christmas were especially big events in the Calabro home, where Dennis went all out with decorations year after year. His love for Halloween, in particular, became legendary among family and friends.Above all, Dennis loved his family deeply and was immensely proud of them. He is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Cathleen Calabro (née Amantea); his children, Gabriella Fischer (née Calabro) and her husband William, Nicholas Calabro, and Catherine Calabro; and his cherished grandchildren, Natalia Fischer and Charles Fischer. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, brothers-in-law, and many cousins and extended family members who shared in the laughter, stories, and celebrations that Dennis loved so much.He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Calabro and Agatha Calabro (née Madsen), as well as his cousins Lawrence "Larry" Yacullo and Anthony Yacullo.Dennis remained himself until the very end. In true Dennis fashion, he passed while surrounded by some of his favorite things-watching SpongeBob, with a Frankenstein poster nearby-jokingly described by his family as being "surrounded by his closest friends."Those who knew Dennis will remember his wit, his calm outlook on life, his legendary backyard barbecues, and the way he could make any gathering feel like a celebration.Visitation will be held at Hennessy Heights Funeral Home in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, on Monday, March 9, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.Dennis will be deeply missed, but his family takes comfort in the laughter, memories, and stories he leaves behind.https://compassuslivingfoundation.org/give-now/To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.